I am having the exact same issue on the Inspiron 17R SE 7720 that arrived yesterday (discs inserted after the first disc is completed are rejected.) Dell refuses to supply me with System Restore discs.
The latest BIOS for this model is a couple months old, A11. I'm reluctant to keep wasting more DVD-Rs to see if the unrelated updates I've installed fix the issue. Anyone have any insight? Thanks.
You need to submit and online form to get the system restore discs.I did the same thing it was shipped the same day free.I am expecting them today by fedex.Please go to this URL support.dell.com/.../backupcd_form and request one.Dell it seems is the only company which ships these discs on request.Coming back to the issue the problem seems to be a bug with the dell support software code shipped with Windows 8 .I dont know who can help in logging a bug.Maybe some folks who moderate this forum can pass this information to their development team.
Is A12 the latest BIOS for your model?Check on dell website if you have a newer version if your BIOS is the latest then you could try creating the recovery discs using the Dell support Software .If that doesnt work try the link i provided below to get the recovery discs shipped to you by dell at no cost.
I used the exact same form and they sent it by fedex and i received the discs today.I think there might be some misunderstanding regardless of the issue they have to send you the restore discs as long as you have a valid service tag for your dell machine .You might want to call dell support and have them check this forum since there are many customers who are having the same issue in windows 8.I have owned dell machines in the past but this is the first time i had an issue which i guess has more to do with win 8.In the form i selected "other" as the request reason and clearly mentioned to them that the dell support software does not work as expected to create the restore discs thats it.
Thanks for replying, but when I said "Dell refuses to supply me with System Restore discs" that's exactly what I was referring to.
I filled out that form saying that there is apparently a bug with the software that creates Restore discs on Windows 8, so could they please send me some. I even included a link to one of the posts on this forum. Their first response indicated that they had not read my request at all, and just basically sent me the instructions on how to create my own discs.
So I wrote back and asked them to re-read my request, that there is a bug preventing this from working. They responded by saying that I need to call support, ignoring my request. So for all of what I've heard about how Dell will send you media on request, I have had nothing but trouble and rejections. If you have an inside contact or a tip on getting System Restore discs, I'd be very glad to hear it. Thanks!
I am sure there has to be a similar form for australia.Have you tried using the USB stick 16Gb as suggested above by speedstep?I was the one who had suggested a BIOS upgrade(i am a user like you not a dell employee) since my issue was resolved by a BIOS upgrade.I would suggest you call the customer support number and get them to look at this forum maybe one of the moderators can help filing a bug
Yep, that is exactly what I did... Selected "other" as the reason and very clearly stated that the reason I needed them was because the backup software fails to create recovery discs. They denied my request. I wrote them back and said that I want to be sure they understood the reason I was asking was because there is a bug creating the discs (and referred to this forum) and they still told me to get lost. Amazing that you and I had such different experiences doing what sounds like the same thing.
However...
I can confirm for the Dell 17R SE 7720 that you CAN create recovery media by updating all of the software on the support download page. I suspect it was the BIOS that did the trick as that was mentioned elsewhere, but I downloaded everything that had an update so that I gave myself the best chance.
Important Note: When I went to the download page, BIOS is listed in the OS drop list (weird, your options are: Windows 7, Windows 8, BIOS...) So I picked BIOS and there was nothing listed. Above, I unselected "Filter by Service Tag" (or whatever it says) and instead chose "List All Files" (or something like that) so that it would list everything. Then it listed an update for the BIOS, so I chose to download it. I then installed all updates and tried one more time. This time, I got all the way through the creation of 4 DVDs.
I'm not happy with Dell's response to my request for them to send me media, nor am I happy with how many discs I wasted finding bugs in their software for them, but at least I got it working now. I hope this can help someone else.
1 DVD is TOO SMALL for a Recovery Media for 64 Bit Windows Let alone 32 Bit windows because it makes a WINPE bootable recovery media. A double Layer DVD might Barely fit a WINPE for 32 bit windows but will FAIL due to being too small. The only Media that would work in all cases would be a 25 GIG Blueray Writeable Media. If you do not get a
16 GIG OR LARGER flash drive you will not be able to make the bootable recovery media. This is Not something I think works I KNOW it works with Windows 7 Dell Datasafe and Windows 8 Dell Backup and Recovery.
I am glad you found the fix.I guess Dells support software is clearly buggy on Win 8 and customers should not be the ones who need to find and report it.I agree with you we spent so much of time and resources trying to figure out the fix on a brand new laptop which is supposed to work out of the box.Dell needs to do better with support.If i were you i will still chase their support folks for recovery discs ,if one support person you speak to denies your request ask for a supervisor and explain to them the situation.This is clearly a support issue.
After no response from DELL, I went the USB route as suggested by @speedstep then I created back up discs from the USB drive on another machine. Everything worked and I started configuring the laptop and using it as there was an urgent need. After much delay, this morning I received an email from DELL with a direct link for the BIOS upgrade program. Not sure if I'll go ahead now or upgrade later.
One expects a brand new laptop from a reputable company would work out of the box. Upgrading the BIOS should have been part of the build / test not something left to the customer to troubleshoot and fix. Thank you to everyone in this forum for all your help and suggestions.
yes it is recent version......how to find if update is available......i tried from analyse updates but there was none.....hope for a solution from dell.....thanks
sam eto
13 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 00:00
i have BIOS A12. What to do....please tell....how to create recovery CDs/DVds.....thank you
PintoZack
5 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 10:00
I am having the exact same issue on the Inspiron 17R SE 7720 that arrived yesterday (discs inserted after the first disc is completed are rejected.) Dell refuses to supply me with System Restore discs.
The latest BIOS for this model is a couple months old, A11. I'm reluctant to keep wasting more DVD-Rs to see if the unrelated updates I've installed fix the issue. Anyone have any insight? Thanks.
ramorcl
13 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 11:00
Hello PintoZack,
You need to submit and online form to get the system restore discs.I did the same thing it was shipped the same day free.I am expecting them today by fedex.Please go to this URL support.dell.com/.../backupcd_form and request one.Dell it seems is the only company which ships these discs on request.Coming back to the issue the problem seems to be a bug with the dell support software code shipped with Windows 8 .I dont know who can help in logging a bug.Maybe some folks who moderate this forum can pass this information to their development team.
ramorcl
13 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 12:00
Sam,
Is A12 the latest BIOS for your model?Check on dell website if you have a newer version if your BIOS is the latest then you could try creating the recovery discs using the Dell support Software .If that doesnt work try the link i provided below to get the recovery discs shipped to you by dell at no cost.
ramorcl
13 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 13:00
Hello PintoZack,
I used the exact same form and they sent it by fedex and i received the discs today.I think there might be some misunderstanding regardless of the issue they have to send you the restore discs as long as you have a valid service tag for your dell machine .You might want to call dell support and have them check this forum since there are many customers who are having the same issue in windows 8.I have owned dell machines in the past but this is the first time i had an issue which i guess has more to do with win 8.In the form i selected "other" as the request reason and clearly mentioned to them that the dell support software does not work as expected to create the restore discs thats it.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
December 6th, 2012 13:00
Use a USB Flash Drive 16 gigs OR LARGER. It needs 8 gigs alone to make the recovery media bootable.
PintoZack
5 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 13:00
@ramorcl
Thanks for replying, but when I said "Dell refuses to supply me with System Restore discs" that's exactly what I was referring to.
I filled out that form saying that there is apparently a bug with the software that creates Restore discs on Windows 8, so could they please send me some. I even included a link to one of the posts on this forum. Their first response indicated that they had not read my request at all, and just basically sent me the instructions on how to create my own discs.
So I wrote back and asked them to re-read my request, that there is a bug preventing this from working. They responded by saying that I need to call support, ignoring my request. So for all of what I've heard about how Dell will send you media on request, I have had nothing but trouble and rejections. If you have an inside contact or a tip on getting System Restore discs, I'd be very glad to hear it. Thanks!
ramorcl
13 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 14:00
@cmb2012,
I am sure there has to be a similar form for australia.Have you tried using the USB stick 16Gb as suggested above by speedstep?I was the one who had suggested a BIOS upgrade(i am a user like you not a dell employee) since my issue was resolved by a BIOS upgrade.I would suggest you call the customer support number and get them to look at this forum maybe one of the moderators can help filing a bug
cmb2012
16 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 14:00
@ramorcl - unfortunately that form is for the US only and I'm in Australia so it won't take my details.
Still no word from DELL after they suggested I upgrade the BIOS to which there is NO upgrade listed for my system!
MODERATORS, please advise how to escalate this issue and get a resolution.
PintoZack
5 Posts
0
December 6th, 2012 18:00
@ramorcl
Yep, that is exactly what I did... Selected "other" as the reason and very clearly stated that the reason I needed them was because the backup software fails to create recovery discs. They denied my request. I wrote them back and said that I want to be sure they understood the reason I was asking was because there is a bug creating the discs (and referred to this forum) and they still told me to get lost. Amazing that you and I had such different experiences doing what sounds like the same thing.
However...
I can confirm for the Dell 17R SE 7720 that you CAN create recovery media by updating all of the software on the support download page. I suspect it was the BIOS that did the trick as that was mentioned elsewhere, but I downloaded everything that had an update so that I gave myself the best chance.
Important Note: When I went to the download page, BIOS is listed in the OS drop list (weird, your options are: Windows 7, Windows 8, BIOS...) So I picked BIOS and there was nothing listed. Above, I unselected "Filter by Service Tag" (or whatever it says) and instead chose "List All Files" (or something like that) so that it would list everything. Then it listed an update for the BIOS, so I chose to download it. I then installed all updates and tried one more time. This time, I got all the way through the creation of 4 DVDs.
I'm not happy with Dell's response to my request for them to send me media, nor am I happy with how many discs I wasted finding bugs in their software for them, but at least I got it working now. I hope this can help someone else.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
December 6th, 2012 19:00
1 DVD is TOO SMALL for a Recovery Media for 64 Bit Windows Let alone 32 Bit windows because it makes a WINPE bootable recovery media. A double Layer DVD might Barely fit a WINPE for 32 bit windows but will FAIL due to being too small. The only Media that would work in all cases would be a 25 GIG Blueray Writeable Media. If you do not get a
16 GIG OR LARGER flash drive you will not be able to make the bootable recovery media. This is Not something I think works I KNOW it works with Windows 7 Dell Datasafe and Windows 8 Dell Backup and Recovery.
ramorcl
13 Posts
1
December 6th, 2012 20:00
@PintoZack,
I am glad you found the fix.I guess Dells support software is clearly buggy on Win 8 and customers should not be the ones who need to find and report it.I agree with you we spent so much of time and resources trying to figure out the fix on a brand new laptop which is supposed to work out of the box.Dell needs to do better with support.If i were you i will still chase their support folks for recovery discs ,if one support person you speak to denies your request ask for a supervisor and explain to them the situation.This is clearly a support issue.
sam eto
13 Posts
0
December 7th, 2012 06:00
wr s link@ramorcl.....how to is bios recent version....or update is available?
cmb2012
16 Posts
0
December 7th, 2012 15:00
@ramorcl
After no response from DELL, I went the USB route as suggested by @speedstep then I created back up discs from the USB drive on another machine. Everything worked and I started configuring the laptop and using it as there was an urgent need. After much delay, this morning I received an email from DELL with a direct link for the BIOS upgrade program. Not sure if I'll go ahead now or upgrade later.
One expects a brand new laptop from a reputable company would work out of the box. Upgrading the BIOS should have been part of the build / test not something left to the customer to troubleshoot and fix. Thank you to everyone in this forum for all your help and suggestions.
sam eto
13 Posts
0
December 7th, 2012 22:00
@RAMORCL
yes it is recent version......how to find if update is available......i tried from analyse updates but there was none.....hope for a solution from dell.....thanks